Bagan’s sand paintings, which used to attract foreign tourists, have gained popularity among local people and there are some purchases, according to the painting trade circle in Bagan.
“With the arrival of foreign tourists, the sand painting market used to be good and sold significantly. It attracted a lot of foreign tourists. That was before Covid-19 pandemic. After Covid-19, foreign tourists’ entry is still low. Local interest in sand painting has increased. It sells well. Most of the people still don’t know how these sand paintings are made. It already has a market. It reaches as far as Yangon. As we are based in Bagan, our products reach every corner of Myanmar, including Dawei and Nay Pyi Taw,” said Ko Min Min Aung, a painting shop owner in Bagan.
In addition, knowledge of the art of sand painting should be widespread throughout Myanmar because this craft, which was formerly known as cloth painting, has a history dating back to the Bagan era.
“In sand painting, we first put glue on a cloth. After the glue, we put sand particles on it and let it dry in the sun. Then, we draw sketches with a pencil and fill them in with coloured paints. Glue and sand used in the painting are more important. They give a better quality. Only then can the sand painting be rolled or pressed. This sand painting started around 2000. It can only be found in Bagan,” he said.
The price of Bagan’s sand painting varies with the customized orders depending on the design and the size, according to the sand painting dealers in Bagan.
Thit Taw/ZN
